Liquid metering device



March 22, 1966 R. w. MURRAY LIQUID METERING DEVICE Filed April 5. 1964 Y A Y W 5 T0 0 N M R V a r WW M T T A R l E W Y mw m h w H r A w W Q m m m w W III IIII r1 FlL United States Patent 3,241,715 LllQUlll) METERING DEVICE Robert W. Murray, 6349 Virginia, Brooklyn Park, Minn. Filed Apr. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 357,155 12 Claims. (Cl. 222-40) This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 338,093, filed January 16, 1964.

This invention relates to a device for metering out a predetermined volume of liquid. More particularly, this invention relates to a device for metering out a predetermined volume of gasoline or similar liquid fuel, less than a tank-full, and then automatically shutting off.

It is common practice in the marketing of gasoline automobile fuel for purchasers to order less than full tanks of fuel. Particularly in large volume, cash sale filling stations, sales are normally made in multiples of $1.00. In some instances, in the case of some juveniles and adults who must budget their expenditures closely, this a matter of necessity. For others it is a matter of convenience in order to avoid the handling of loose change. Whatever the reasons, the practice has become well established and is well known to operators of gasoline filling stations.

In the case of a customer ordering a full tank of gasoline, automatic nozzles are available to shut-off the flow of fuel when the tank becomes full, or almost full. When the customer orders less than a full tank the operator must either hand fill the tank or leave the nozzle in the tank fill tube and keep a close eye on the meter of the pump while he performs his other service functions, such as cleaning the windows, checking the oil, battery and radiator, etc. In this latter instance, there is an ever present danger of dispensing more fuel than has been ordered, or the other service suffers because of the necessity of the operator constantly Watching the pump meter, or both.

The metering device of the present invention is so constructed as to permit the operator to preset the device to some predetermined amount such as $1.00s Worth, $2.00s worth, or the like, and then be free to perform his other service functions without fear of over filling the tank. In my copending application Serial No. 338,- 093 filed January 16, 1964, there is described and claimed a metering device especially adapted for attachment to the end of the dispensing hose of a gasoline pump. The device according to the present invention is especially adapted for stationary mounting, as in the housing of a gasoline pump.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which the same numerals identify corresponding parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view in longitudinal section of the metering device adapted to be fitted into a gasoline dispensing flow line and showing the elements in the open or non-operating position;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 and in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevation showing one form of regulating means for the metering device.

Referring now to the drawings, the metering device indicated generally at is comprised of body having in sequence an inlet end section 11, an elongated intermediate section 12, a control section 13, and a discharge end section 14. A gasket is interposed between end section 11 and intermediate section 12. A gasket 16 is interposed between intermediate section 12 and control section 13. A gasket 17 is interposed between control section 13 and discharge end section 14. All of the sections are secured together tightly (as, for example, by

screws or bolts) to prevent any leakage of gasoline through the gasketed joints between adjacent sections.

The inlet end section 11 is provided with a projecting boss 18 adapted to serve as a fitting for attachment of the metering device to the end of a pipe or hose from the pumping means of a gasoline metering pump. The boss 18 is provided with a central bore 19, which is desirably threaded to facilitate fitting onto the pipe or hose end. The bore 19 serves as a passage for the flow of gasoline fuel and communicates directly with a chamber 20 in the inlet end section 11 and a cylindrical chamber 21 within the intermediate section 12.

A piston 22 fit with a tight slide fit, is positioned in cylindrical chamber 21 for movement longitudinally therethrough in response to variation in fluid pressure on opposite sides of the piston. The piston is desirably formed in part of a disk 23 with slightly outwardly extending edges composed of resilient material to insure a tight leakage-free fit against the walls of the chamber and secured to piston member 22 by means of a screw 23a or like fastening means. Piston 22 is spring loaded by a compression spring 24 disposed in chamber 21 between the piston and the control section 13.

The intermediate section 12 of the metering device is also provided with a longitudinal by-pass channel 25 which communicates at one end with chamber 20 in the inlet end section and at the other end with a mating by-pass channel 26 and chamber 27 in the control section 13. A loose fitting flap or butterfly type valve is disposed in the by-pass channel to permit altering the rate of flow of gasoline through the metering device, but without cutting off the flow. This valve includes a flap or vane 28 having a shank 29 fitted into a threaded shaft 30 extending through the wall of the control section 13 and adapted to have an adjusting knob or handle attached thereto. This valve is a compensating device for adjusting the metering device to take into account fluctuations in the price of gasoline, such as may occur during price wars and the like, and when full open permits inactivation of the metering device. Its operation will be described below.

The chamber 27 in the control section 13 communi cates directly with a cylindrical chamber 32 in section 13 and separated from the chamber 21 of the intermediate section by means of a transverse wall portion 33. Chamber 32 communicates directly with a discharge port 34 in end section 14. Port 34 in turn communicates directly with a central bore 35 through a boss 36 on the end of end section 14. Boss 36 functions as a fitting for attachment of the metering device to a pipe or hose leading to the dispensing hose and a conventional gasoline dispensing nozzle.

A spool piston valving element 37 which is axially aligned with chamber 21 and port 34 functions as a shutoff fordischarge port 34. The valving member 37 includes spaced apart annular flanges 38 and 39 positioned for movement in chamber 32 and a central longitudinally extending shank or stem 40 which passes with a slide fit through a central opening 41 in wall member 33. A resilient valving disk or washer 42 is secured to the exposed face of flange 39 by means of a suitable fastener, such as screw 43. Resilient disk 42 is of greater diameter than port 34 so that when the valving piston 37 is in its forwardmost position the resilient disk shuts off flow through port 34. A minute bleeder hole 42a is desirably provided through flange 38 and washer 42 to permit a trickle of gasoline after the discharge port is closed. Then, when the nozzle is shut off, pressure is more readily and quickly equalized on opposite sides of the valving disk.

The valve spool piston 37 is spring loaded to normally remain in the open position. This is accomplished by means of a compression spring 44 surrounding the end of shank or stem 40 within chamber 21 and held in place by means of a retaining ring 45 and a suitable fastener, such as screw 46.

A small diameter gasoline passage 58 extends through the wall 33 of the control section 13 so as to permit direct fluid communication between chamber 21 and chamber 32. The side of wall 33 facing forward chamber 21 is provided with a recess 60 which communicates with a channel 61 of lesser diameter leading into chamber 32 of the control section. A resilient disk valving member 62 is fitted into recess 60 over the end of channel 61 and held in place by a retaining means 63, such as a light leaf spring. Valving element 62 permits one way flow through channel 61 from chamber 32 to chamber 21 while preventing flow in the opposite direction. The retainer is secured by any suitable means 64, such as a screw, pin, rivet or the like. Channel 61 is for more rapid refill of chamber 21 to return piston 22 to one of its neutral positions. For this reason channel 61 should be of substantially greater cross sectional area than that of the control aperture 58.

As shown in FIGURE 2, an adjustment means for regulating the rate of flow through the control channel 58 is provided by a threaded longitudinal channel 65 fitted with a set screw 66. By adjustment of set screw 66 the cross sectional area of the control aperture can be reduced so as to reduce the rate of flow through it.

In the device described and claimed in my copending application metering of a predetermined volume of liquid is determined by the rate of travel of piston 22 along the full length of chamber 21, which in turn is determined by the rate of discharge of liquid through restricted aperture 58. In the device of the present invention variation in the predetermined volume of liquid to be dispensed is accomplished by regulation of the length of the path of travel of piston 22, While the rate of flow through aperture 58 remains substantially constant. The length of the path of travel of piston 22 is conrolled by the provision of variable stop means.

As seen in FIGURE 1, one form of control stop means comprises a slideable rod or bar 70 which extends through an opening 71 in the end wall of inlet end section 11. Suitable packing 72 is provided to permit slideable movement of rod or bar 70 in channel 71 without leakage of gasoline fuel from chamber 20. The inner end of rod or bar 70 is desirably provided with a foot member 73 which is adapted to bear against the piston 22, for example, against the head of screw 23a, but is not connected or attached to the piston.

In order to provide greater stability for rod or bar 70, there is desirably provided a spider 74 with a channel 75 through which the rod or bar 70 may slide. The spider 74 is desirably positioned between inlet chamber and cylindrical chamber 21 and is provided with a plurality of wide openings 76 to permit free flow of gasoline fuel from chamber 20 into chamber 21 for application of fuel line pressure against piston 22.

The rod or bar 70 is adapted to be moveable to any one of several predetermined positions, each of which acts as a stop for piston 22 and determines the length of the path which piston 22 is permitted to travel before it contacts the end of the shank or stem 44 of the valving member to actuate the shut-off valve to close the discharge port 34. The position of the stop, in the form of foot member 73 at the end of rod or bar 70, is determined by sliding the rod or bar in or out to the appropriate position corresponding to the predetermined volume of gasoline to be dispensed. This sliding movement of the rod or bar is accomplished by means of an arm or handle member 77 rigidly attached by means of a suitable fitting 78 to the end of rod or bar 70.

In the form illustrated, the arm 77 extends out through an elongated slot 79 in a stationary plate or bracket 80. Plate 80 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart notches 81, 82 and 83 in communication with the slot 79 and each corresponding to a predetermined volume of gasoline fuel to be dispensed. For example, when arm 77 is in notch 81 the rod or bar 70 extends the farthest distance into the piston chamber. The piston thus has the least permissible movement. It will traverse this shortest path in the least amount of time and, therefore, control dispensing of the least predetermined volume of gasoline. Similarly, notch 82 represents an intermediate predetermined amount and notch 83 represents the largest predetermined amount.

In order to permit fine adjustment of the predetermined amount of gasoline to be dispensed, each of notches 81- 83 is desirably provided with an adjacent projection 84 into which is threaded a set screw 85 which extends into the path of arm 77 as that arm extends through one of the notches. Because the rod or bar 70 and arm 77 are under pressure applied by spring 24 at all times except when the metering device is in actual operation, the arm 77 is normally urged against the left-hand edge of the notch as viewed in the drawings. By means of the adjusting screw 85, the at-rest position of the arm 77 may be varied within a narrow range. By this means the precise stop position of the foot member 73 can be more precisely determined and the amount of gasoline dispensed in each operating cycle of the metering device can be more precisely predetermined.

The metering device according to the present invention is desirably mounted so as to be stationary. For example, it may be mounted within the housing of the gasoline metering pump with the plate mounted on the outside of the pump housing. In this instance a handle external of the housing is attached to arm 77 to permit movement of rod or bar 70. At the same time, a control knob or handle positioned outside of the pump housing is attached to shaft 30 for regulation of the valve 28. If the metering device is mounted where it is readily accessible, for example, on the outside of the pump housing, then the exposed end of rod or bar 70 may simply be provided with a knob for manual movement and the stop positions for metering of predetermined volumes of liquid may be simply inscribed on the rod or bar. Then, the rod or bar 70 need merely be pushed in or pulled out to the appropriate setting. Instead of being slidable, rod or bar 70 might also be threaded and moved manually in the same manner to predetermined stop positions.

Suitable indicia may be provided on the regulating or setting bracket wall 80 in order to guide the operator for the proper setting of the control rod or bar 70'. One setting, for example, may be used to dispense $1.00s worth of gasoline, another for $2.00s worth, another for $3.00s worth.

When the station operator desires to hand-fill a gas tank, or when he desires to completely fill the tank and use the automatic nozzle shut-off, the only function of the device of the present invention is to serve as a channel for the flow of gasoline. The knob or handle attached to shaft 30 of butterfly valve 28 is turned to the full-open position in which the vane presents the minimum obstruction to the flow of fuel. With the butterfly valve thus rendered inoperative, gasoline from the pump hose is free to flow through bore 19 into chamber 20, through by-pass channels 25 and 26 into chambers 27 and 32, and then out through discharge port 34 through bore 35 to the gasoline dispensing nozzle.

When the operator desires to dispense a predetermined amount of gasoline fuel less than a full tank, he initially sets the arm 77 of the control rod or bar 70 to the appropriate setting, for example, $2.00s worth of gasoline, as shown in full lines in FIGURE 1. He then opens the nozzle and inserts it into the fill tube of the gasoline tank, setting the nozzle to remain open. The gasoline then flows from the pump into bore 19 to chamber at the inlet end of the metering device. Because of the relatively loose fitting vane 28, slightly retarded How is permitted past that vane from chamber 20 through the by-pass channels and 26 to chambers 27 and 32 at the opposite end of the metering device and through discharge port 34 to the dispensing hose and nozzle.

The discharge port 34 is open because the spring tension of spring 44 urges the valving piston 37 into open position. At this time, the piston 22 is also in the open position, which is at one of the stops determined by the setting control rod 70 within chamber 21. Because the flow through the by-pass channel is restricted to some extent, there is a pressure build-up in chambers 20 and 21 which exerts force on piston 22. This force is partially resisted by spring 24 and the liquid fuel filling chamber 21 forward of the piston. However, restricted discharge flow from chamber 21 is provided by means of control channel 58 in the rearward wall of control section 13.

Thus, the pressure of the gasoline on piston 22 forces the gasoline in a restricted flow out from chamber 21. Outflow through channel 61 is prevented by means of the check valve element 62. As the piston 22 moves forward, its forward face strikes the end of stem 40 of the valving piston 37 and forces it forward until the resilient disk 42 is pressed into place against the discharge port 34. The pump pressure of the gasoline in the chamber 32 behind flange 39 insures that the shut-off will remain closed until opened upon closing of the nozzle valve. The distance which the piston 22 moves forward is determined by the position of the setting control rod 70. This, in turn, is predetermined according to the amount of gasoline desired to be dispensed before further flow is cut-off.

The forwardmost setting of notch 81 permits a shorter path of travel so that the piston 22 moves a shorter distance and actuates the valving element in a shorter length of time. Thus, control setting 81 would be used to dispense a lesser predetermined volume of gasoline. Control setting 83 permits the longest path of travel. Thus, it causes the piston 22 to take a longer period of time to travel the length of chamber 21 before actuating the valve for the discharge port. Because the rate of discharge through restricted orifice 58 is virtually constant, when the control setting 83 is used, a greater predetermined amount of gasoline can flow through the bypass channel before the discharge port is closed.

Meanwhile, while the metering device is functioning, the station operator can perform his other services without fear of over-filling the tank and without need to watch the metering pump. Thus, he can devote his full attention to such things as washing the windows, checking the oil and radiator, etc., and do these services satisfactorily. Then, when he is finished he can return to the pump.

The metering device of the present invention is subject to a number of variables at different locations. The basic price of gasoline, the Federal and local taxes, etc., may all vary. The basic price of gasoline may, in some areas, vary from day to day, particularly during times of price wars. For this reason it is not feasible to attempt to adjust each metering device to dispense an exact predetermined amount of gasoline. Instead, a small margin of safety is built into the device by setting it to dispense a small amount less than the desired predetermined amount.

For example, this may be from 2 or 3 to 10 cents worth of gasoline. When the operator returns to the pump he can then hand-fill this small additional amount of gasoline into the tank in a very few seconds to the exact dollar amount requested by the customer. This he does by first closing the nozzle. Then, the equalization of pressure on opposite sides of the discharge port permits spring 44 to retract the valving disk 42 from the discharge opening.

6 Then, by regulation of the control handle of the nozzle, the operator permits the small additional amount of gasoline to flow into the tank and restores the nozzle to its holder on the pump.

With the discharge port 34 closed, there is gasoline in the by-pass channel and chambers 27 and 32 under pump pressure. This pressure then forces gasoline to flow through channel 61 to dislodge valving element 62 against the pressure of retainer spring 63 to refill chamber 21. The pressure of the in-flowing gasoline, plus the pressure exerted by spring 24, is sufiicient to overcome the pressure on the opposite side of piston 22 to cause it to return to its original position against the foot 73 of rod or bar '70.

Where there is a fairly marked change in the price of gasoline, such as may occur during a price war or where the gasoline tax is increased, the metering device of the present invention can be adjusted to compensate for this change by adjusting the position of vane 28. Where there is a price increase it is desired to retard the flow of gasoline through the by-pass channel to permit lesser volume to flow during the period of time it takes piston 22 to travel far enough to actuate the shut-off valve. Conversely, when there is a decrease in price, it is desired to permit greater rate of flow so that a larger volume of gasoline will flow during the travel time of the piston.

I Fine adjustment for greater accuracy is possible by adjusting of set screw 66 into the control aperture 58 so as to vary the cross-section area and the rate of flow of gasoline from chamber 21 under pressure of piston 22 to control the time of travel of the piston, and by adjustment of set screws to control the position of the foot 73 of rod 70 which establishes the stop limit for piston 22.

Although the metering device of the present invention is especially adapted for stationary mounting upstream from the dispensing hose, it may, if desired, be adapted for connection in the hose line itself upstream from the nozzle and will function in precisely the same manner.

As an added precaution, a filtering device may be installed in the flow line ahead of the metering device, or in the metering device itself. Desirably this filter is in the form of a magnetic screen to attract metallic particles or other contaminants which may escape the filter of the gasoline pump.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A liquid metering device with automatic shut-off for dispensing a predetermined volume of liquid from a supply of that liquid under pressure, said device comprising (l) a body having means at one end for securing to a supply line of the liquid and means for discharge of liquid from the device,

(2) a liquid flow passage extending from the supply line end of said body to the discharge means,

(3) a shut-off valving means in said passage adjacent the discharge means,

(4) a piston chamber within said body open at one end to the supply line end of said liquid flow passage,

(5) sliding shaft means extending into the opposite end of said piston chamber and moveable to actuate said shut-off valving means,

(6) a piston moveable in said chamber in response to fluid pressure exerted against it,

(7) said piston when moved in the direction toward the discharge from the body being moveable into con tact with said shaft means for actuating said shut off valving means,

(8) a restricted liquid flow passage from the discharge end of said piston chamber to the discharge end of said first named liquid flow passage,

(9) moveable stop means extending through the wall of said body into said piston chamber to limit the path of movement of said piston, and

() means external of said body for setting said moveable stop means in predetermined positions.

2. A metering device according to claim 1 further characterized in that said moveable stop means comprises a moveable rod extending longitudinally of said piston chamber through the open end thereof and through the supply line end of said liquid fiow passage.

3. A metering device according to claim 2 further characterized in that said longitudinally extending rod is centrally disposed within said piston chamber and is manually slidable therein.

4. A metering device according to claim 1 characterized in that a threaded passage is provided in the wall of said body extending generally transversely and intersecting said restricted liquid flow passage, and a set screw is provided in said threaded passage, whereby the cross sectional area of said restricted liquid flow passage can be altered.

5. A metering device according to claim 1 further characterized in that said shut-off valving means comprises a discharge port and a moveable shut-off member adapted to seat in said discharge port, said sliding shaft means being elongated and extending through the end wall of the piston chamber into the path of travel of said moveable shut-otf member to move the same into shut-off position.

6. A metering device according to claim 1 further characterized in that channel means are provided between the piston chamber and the discharge end of the liquid flow passage, said channel means being of substantially greater cross sectional area than said restricted flow passage and fitted with one-way check valve means to permit liquid flow only in the direction toward the piston chamber.

7. A metering device according to claim 1 further characterized in that flow regulating means are provided in said liquid fiow passage to permit variation in rate of flow without preventing flow, said means comprising a loosely fitting flap valve.

8. A metering device according to claim 1 further characterized in that said shut-01f valving means comprises a discharge port in substantially axial alignment with said piston chamber, a spool piston in substantially axial alignment with said piston chamber between said chamber and discharge port having a shut-off member at one end adapted to seat in said discharge port and said sliding shaft means for actuating said valving means comprising an elongated stem at the opposite end of the spool piston extending through the end wall of the piston chamber into the path of travel of the piston therein.

9. A metering device according to claim 8 further characterized in that the end of said elongated stem of said spool piston extending into the piston chamber is spring loaded to normally urge said shut-off valving means into open position.

10. An adjustable gasoline metering device with automatic shut-oft for dispensing any of several predetermined amounts of gasoline from a gasoline pump to a dispensing nozzle, said device comprising (1) a body having means at one end for securing to the supply line of a gasoline pump and at the other end for attachment to a distribution line to a conventional gasoline pump nozzle,

(2) a gasoline flow passage extending through said body from the supply end to the distribution end,

(3) a piston chamber within said body open at one end to the supply end of the gasoline flow passage,

(4) a spring loaded piston in said piston chamber movable in response to fluid pressure of gasoline exerted against it and normally urged in the direction toward the open end of the piston chamber,

(5) a normally open shut-oif valving means in said gasoline flow passage adjacent the distribution end thereof, said valving means comprising (a) a discharge port in substantially axial alignment with said piston chamber,

(b) a flanged piston valve in substantially axial alignment with said piston chamber between said chamber and discharge port,

(c) resilient means at one end of said flanged piston valve adapted to seat in said discharge port,

(d) an elongated spring loaded stem at the opposite end of said flanged piston valve extending through the end wall of said piston chamber toward the distribution line intothe path of travel -of the piston therein, and normally urged away from said discharge port, said piston in said piston chamber being movable into contact with said elongated stem to actuate said shut-off valving means.

(6) a restricted gasoline discharge passage from the distribution end of the piston chamber to the distribution end of the gasoline flow passage,

(7) channel means between said piston chamber and the distribution end of said gasoline flow passage, said channel means being of substantially greater cross-sectional area than said restricted discharge passage and fitted with one-way check valve means to permit liquid flow only in the direction toward the piston chamber,

(8) slideable stop means comprising an elongated rod extending longitudinally into said piston chamber through the open end thereof, and

(9) manual means external of said body for setting said stop means in predetermined positions.

11. A metering device according to claim 10 further characterized in that flow regulating means comprising a loosely fitting flap valve are provided in said gasoline flow passage to permit variation in rate of gasoline flow Without preventing flow.

12. A liquid metering device for dispensing a predetermined volume of liquid from a supply of that liquid under pressure, said device comprising an elongated body having means at one end for securing to a supply line of the liquid and at the other end for attachment to a distribution line, a liquid flow passage extending generally longitudinally through said body from the supply line end of said body to the distribution end to carry all of the liquid flowing through said device, a normally open shut-01f valving means in said passage adjacent the distribution end, an elongated piston chamber within said body open at one end to the supply line end of said liquid flow passage and closed at the opposite end, means extending into the opposite closed end of said piston chamber connected to said shut-off valving means and longitudinally moveable to move said valving means into closed position, a piston longitudinally moveable in said chamber in response to fluid pressure exerted against it by liquid flowing through said liquid flow passage, said piston being moveable into contact with said moving means for said shut-01f valving means, a restricted liquid discharge passage from said piston chamber to the distribution end of said first liquid flow passage, and moveable stop means within said piston chamber for limiting and varying the travel path of said piston.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,512,060 10/1924 Schmucker 222309 2,418,743 4/1947 Baker 251- X LOUIS I. DEMBO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A LIQUID METERING DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF FOR DISPENSING A PREDETERMINED VOLUME OF LIQUID FROM A SUPPLY OF THAT LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING (1) A BODY HAVING MEANS AT ONE END FOR SECURING TO A SUPPLY LINE OF THE LIQUID AND MEANS FOR DISCHARGE OF LIQUID FROM THE DEVICE, (2) A LIQUID FLOW PASSAGE EXTENDING FROM THE SUPPLY LINE END OF SAID BODY TO THE DISCHARGE MEANS, (3) A SHUT-OFF VALVING MEANS IN SAID PASSAGE ADJACENT THE DISCHARGE MEANS, (4) A PISTON CHAMBER WITHIN SAID BODY OPEN AT ONE END TO THE SUPPLY LINE END OF SAID LIQUID FLOW PASSAGE, (5) SLIDING SHAFT MEANS EXTENDING INTO THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID PISTON CHAMBER AND MOVEABLE TO ACTUATE SAID SHUT-OFF VALVING MEANS, (6) A PISTON MOVEABLE IN SAID CHAMBER IN RESPONSE TO FLUID PRESSURE EXERTED AGAINST IT, (7) SAID PISTON WHEN MOVED IN THE DIRECTION TOWARD THE DISCHARGE FROM THE BODY BEING MOVEABLE INTO CONTACT WITH SAID SHAFT MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID SHUT-OFF VALVING MEANS, 